Islamic New Year & Muharram: Significance, Virtues of Ashura & How to Start the Hijri Year Right

The Islamic New Year – A Time for Reflection & Renewal

The Islamic (Hijri) New Year begins on the **1st of Muharram**, the first of the four sacred months in the lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian New Year with parties and fireworks, the Hijri New Year is a quiet, reflective occasion — an opportunity to thank Allah for another year of life and to renew our commitment to Him.

This new year commemorates the **Hijra** (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE — a turning point that transformed the Muslim community from persecution to establishment of the first Islamic state. As we welcome **1448 AH** (expected around July 2026), it is the perfect time to reset our intentions and plan for a more spiritually productive year.

Our Hijri Calendar helps you stay in sync with the Islamic dates.

Muharram – One of the Four Sacred Months

Allah says in the Quran: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months... of which four are sacred." (Quran 9:36). Muharram is the first of these sacred months (along with Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah, and Dhul Hijjah).

In sacred months, good deeds are rewarded more abundantly and sins carry greater weight. The Prophet ﷺ called Muharram “the month of Allah” and encouraged voluntary fasting more than in any other month outside Ramadan.

The Day of Ashura – 10th Muharram

Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram and one of the most virtuous days in the Islamic calendar. On this day, Allah saved Prophet Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he saw the Jews fasting it and said: “We are closer to Musa than you are.” He then fasted Ashura and ordered the Muslims to do the same.

The great reward: "Fasting the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year." (Muslim)

Fasting Throughout Muharram

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best fasting after Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, Muharram." (Muslim)

Take advantage of this blessed month by fasting as many days as possible — especially:

• The 9th & 10th of Muharram (Ashura)
• The White Days (13th, 14th, 15th)
• Mondays and Thursdays

Important Lessons from the Hijra

• Sacrifice for Allah’s sake — leaving comfort for the pleasure of Allah
• Complete trust in Allah (Tawakkul) combined with excellent planning
• Building strong brotherhood and community
• Establishing worship as the foundation (the first thing built in Madinah was the Masjid)

Setting Spiritual Goals for the New Hijri Year

Use the beginning of Muharram to make sincere intentions:

Start Your Daily Dhikr Now →

Correcting Common Misconceptions About Ashura

• Excessive mourning, self-flagellation, and theatrical re-enactments are bid’ah (innovations) and not from the Sunnah.
• Ashura is a day of gratitude and fasting — not feasting or superstition.
• It is a blessed day, not an unlucky one.

Recommended Tools for the New Hijri Year

May Allah make this new Hijri year (1448 AH) a year of immense blessings, forgiveness, closeness to Him, and acceptance of all our good deeds. Ameen.